New York Red Bulls look to continue their domination over teams from Florida when they travel to Orlando to play Orlando City SC on Saturday night. The game is a chance for the Red Bulls to go top of the table with a win and to continue their momentum following a 4-0 dominating performance over Inter Miami last week. The team will see several key players returning from international break, including John Tolkin, Noah Eile and designated player Emil Forsberg.
Orlando City were a team expected to be top of the standings, having made key signings this off-season. Unfortunately it hasn’t worked quite so well in the early part of the campaign. The team is 1-3-1 having just notched their first win of the season over Austin FC last week. They are looking to create a consistency against New York but it will be difficult as this Red Bulls team is one that has seemingly found the formula to perfect their unique brand of football.
The Red Bulls have always been known as a high-pressing team. However, the inclusion of Emil Forsberg and a combination of Dante Vanzeir with Lewis Morgan, has allowed them to play a less chaotic style. The connection between Morgan, Vanzeir and the midfield has opened up opportunities that were amiss in 2023. Now, with Forsberg’s return, the team should be even more dangerous moving forward while still being one of the more stout defenses in the league.
Expectations are that New York should win the game, especially given the status of opposition. Stranger things have happened in MLS but the team is more than capable on the road, with positive results in Nashville and Houston. Their only blemish, a 3-0 loss in Columbus that appears to have been a lesson learned for head coach Sandro Schwarz and the rest of the team.
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PROJECTED STARTING XI:
New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Tolkin, Nealis, Eile, Duncan, Harper, Stroud, Amaya, Forsberg, Vanzeir, Morgan
photo by Matt Kremkau